What do you want, custom-built or cookie cutter?

My 12-year old daughter, Abby, just had her dance recital, and every act had a customized routine, with a unique costume, and unique music.

Imagine living in a world where everything is identical.

You come home from work in a white Buick that looks just like your neighbour's white Buick.

You pull into the driveway of your little yellow house that is identical to every other little yellow house on the street.

There is only one restaurant, and it serves only one entrée and one dessert. After dinner, you head to your granddaughter’s dance recital, and every act has the same music, the same style, the same costume.

Unfortunately, that’s the way the tax, retirement and financial industry cranks out plans.

Cookie cutter.

Every person’s plan is essentially the same as everyone else’s; identical strategies for you and all your neighbours. It’s assembly-line financial and retirement income planning.

Is your ideal lifestyle and retirement the same as everyone else’s?

I doubt it.

Different dreams, the same plan? The same financial instruments?

Don't let a financial advisor bully you into taking the product or solution they give to every other person.